There's a new name for discerning buyers at the luxury end of the saloon and SUV car market – and Genesis really is a new beginning for South Korean car giant, Hyundai.

This is the name hived off from the standard fare from Hyundai, rather than to stick with the main brand in the way that Toyota launched Lexus and Citroen hatched the DS plan – all with varying degrees of success in off-setting brand snobbery.

Initially set up in 2004 as the flagship for Hyundai's new luxury saloon, the Genesis brand was officially announced as an independent in 2015.

The latest offering to go under test with me, the G80 saloon RWD and GV80, AWD SUV, are a step forward and upwards in the luxury car market and can easily compete with the likes of Volvo, BMW and even Mercedes. But their main issue is that an electric or even a hybrid version was not available at launch this year in the UK. That will be rectified soon, but mystifying none-the-less.

From its stylish winged logo, which is reflected in the crest grille shape – almost Aston Martin in appearance? – to the double vertical exhausts, which decorate its rear, it manages a look of style and class. The exteriors on both have a sleekness and sporting look, which is not only easy on the eye but makes you look forward to getting inside to see what they can do.

And they 'can do' in some style. The G80 saloon catches the eye at just short of 5m long and with its sloping roof-line, almost looks like a 'sportback'. However, that doesn't means there's any compromise on space for rear passengers.

The G80 gets a choice of one diesel and one petrol engine, with the test car having the lively 2.5-litre, 300bhp petrol unit and all-wheel drive through an eight-speed auto box. It was pretty quick of the mark and did the timed run of 0-62 in six seconds.

Prices start at £37,460 and rise to £50,650 for the standard spec' fare, but add in some of the many extras available and the costs rise substantially. But, with those kind of starting prices, there remains plenty of car for your money.

The chassis feeds back a refined and quiet drive – maybe not the Beemer class, but pretty good. All in all, it felt really 'tight'.

Inside, there's all you'd expect from a premium brand, like sumptuous nappa leather, quilted padded seats and a host of electronic goodies that might even take a teenager weeks to get a full handle on!

In the sport model you can get 21-inch three spoke grille wheels, a choice of Seville red (for the boys) or ultramarine blue (for the girls) leather quilted seats and a full carbon fibre interior.

Nothing is complicated. From closing the sleek, well-styled doors to fastening the seatbelt, the driving experience is simple and comfortable and the controls are well situated, stylish and easy to work.

There is no clutter of information on the console and the dials are traditional and easy to read. Air vents are almost invisible as they recess into the fine lines which run along the front of the console.

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Rear seat passengers have not been forgotten and they, too, have their own temperature controls, electric adjustable seats, curtains and climate control. For music all around, the 18-speaker Lexicon sound system is excellent and the audio controls are straightforward to use.

The G80 range has been designed with efficiency and comfort in mind and are not a simple upgrade from the G70 range. This redesign uses lightweight, high strength steel, to save overall weight and it has an electronically controlled suspension (ECC) which even has front cameras that spot potential hazards or potholes and adjusts the suspension accordingly to ensure a smooth ride.

The large central screen is controlled via a rotary touchpad, or touching the screen and for older fogies (like me) are just about an intuitive as you can get in cars these days.

That includes a front facing camera which allows you to see obstacles on your left or right that might affect your driving. Disconcerting at first, but useful once you get used to it.

On fuel economy, the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel G80 offers around 44 mpg with combined CO2 emission of 169-164 g/km, while the petrol does around 31 mpg with emission of 210-205g/km.

Meanwhile, out of the same stable thunders the GV80, an imposing SUV that will take on the premium brands like Land Rover/Range Rover, Audi, BMW and Volvo in this sector.

Its main selling point – and it is a substantial one – is that it costs from just £56,715 (petrol) and £56,815 (diesel), but again extras can help bump this up – that's if you'd need them as, like the saloon, it does not lack in style or refinement and was good enough to win an award as Scotland's Best Luxury SUV at the recent Scottish Car of the Year ceremony ahead of many if those rivals.

For the thrifty, it also comes with five-year warranty, five years of servicing included and five years of roadside assistance.

It's an imposing vehicle, with nice detailing and that premium grille which also sets the G80 apart on the streets. During my tenure of it, we were subjected to one of those terrible storms that left many stranded by the roadside. Not so the GV80, as it's bulk and ride height allowed me to sail (almost literally) past any issues.

Also the fitment of a 360° 'bird's eye' camera gave a very good view of what is around you when manoeuvring in tight corners and also projects an 'intelligent' rear/side view on to the screen when you indicate.

Again, like the saloon, there's the choice of a 2.5 litre petrol engine or a 2.2 litre diesel, plus there's a seven-seater option.